Edward did not know why he'd been asked to come to his family's living room.

He'd been about to set out. Part ways with them all forever. Where he would go, he wasn't sure, only that he could not live under the same roof as Jasper and Bella. Not without wanting to tear her away from his brother again. Or tear into her throat all together.

He was a monster, he could recognize that.

Losing control of all sense of himself and seeing what it had done to his family first hand...

And still wanting the human girl who—

Edward tensed, looking up as he tried to listen for two heartbeats. For Bella's soft voice or Charlie's gruff one. Only there was nothing.

Because they weren't here.

He turned, ready to go in search for the two humans who'd been upstairs in the guest bedroom an hour ago, when Alice strode in with Rosalie and Emmett behind her.

"Good, you're here. Why don't you take a seat?" The pixie suggested as she sat herself on one of the loveseats by the window. Crossing her legs and placing her delicate hands atop her knee, "Everyone else shouldn't be too long."

Edward frowned, "Where are they?"

Alice shrugged, her tone detached in a way that was foreign to Edward. Though considering she is Bella's best friend, it was no mystery as to why his sister regarded him coldly. "How should I know? I don't monitor all of Esme and Carlisle's comings and goings."

He gritted his teeth, "Bella and Charlie aren't here. Where did you take them? I know for a fact that the man wasn't even awake this morning, him up and leaving doesn't seem all that plausible."

"As perceptive as ever, brother," Rosalie said with a sardonic grin. "I have to wonder how you managed to lie to everyone for so long with that quick wit of yours."

"Don't act as if you suddenly care about what happens to Bella," he remarked, earning himself a deep rumbling growl from Emmett as he crossed his muscular arms. Edward rolled his eyes, "I already apologized. To the both of them. What more do you all want from me?"

"An apology doesn't change anything if you don't mean it," Emmett said, "It's not what we want, trust me. If it went our way you would be a pile of limbs right now. Not on that high and mighty throne you've seated yourself on."

"Then what the hell am I doing here?" Edward threw his hands up and started stalking towards the opened doorway that led into the hall. When Carlisle, Esme, and Jasper walked in his path. They stopped short when they noticed the brooding telepath.

"Son, why don't you join us. We have something to discuss." Carlisle suggested though his tone sounded more like a command.

Edward didn't know why he was surprised by his entire family's change towards him. How they were apprehensive and distrustful in his mere presence. Worst of all, they shut him out of their thoughts completely.

All of them.

He stepped aside for his father and mother to walk into the living room. Jasper didn't so much as glance at him. But given Bella's floral scent clinging to him as if it belonged to him—Edward knew he'd been the one to move Bella and Charlie out of the house. Away from him? Or for another reason?

"What do you want to discuss, Carlisle?" He finally said when everyone expect for Jasper and Emmett took seats around the living room. Opting instead to lean against the wall behind the long couch where Rosalie was seated.

"You were going to leave again," Esme murmured, "where did you plan on going?"

"I don't see why you should care. I'm the one who wronged this family after all. You have five others you can play mother with, Esme. I'm sure you don't need me."

Esme flinched at the coldness of his words.

Carlisle inhaled a sharp breath as he witnessed Edward's sneer directed towards Esme. The woman who has loved him since the first day they met. The same woman who defended him and encouraged him to be happy with Bella—thinking his intentions were genuine. Never once thinking him capable of stealing Jasper's mate.

"You'll not speak to my wife that way," Carlisle said, cutting anyone else off before they could jump to Esme's defense. Edward stiffened, "You'll listen to what we have to say and you'll be quiet while we speak. Do not disrespect another person in our home, Edward. I've forgiven many cruelties on your part, but the moment you disrespect Esme is the moment I forget all the kindness that makes me the man that I choose to be."

Not the monster I was cursed to become.

Not a monster like he'd become. God, what was wrong with him? How is it that he can feel guilt and resentment all at once? How can he love, and yet, also hate his family?

Esme took Carlisle's hand, seemingly calming the latter as storms waged in his eyes. He granted Esme a soft smile of reassurance.

"I want to know something," Rosalie started, earning Edward's attention. There was blatant scorn on her face but also...betrayal. "was it worth it? To steal Bella from Jasper. To lay your hands on her the way you did. Losing us. Was it worth the pain you caused to have your little fantasy?"

Edward didn't answer for a long moment. Looking down to his clenched hands. The same hands that hurt Bella.

"No, it wasn't," he answered truthfully. He looked around the room, to every single member of his family, all watching him with a mix of wariness and disappointment. His eyes lingering on Jasper who still refused to look at his brother. His thoughts utterly vacant. "...it wasn't at all. I am sorry for the trouble I've caused you all. For all the deceit. I lost myself in jealousy and bloodlust."

This time Jasper did look at him. Giving him a sidelong glance, communicating to not mention Bella in front of him as though she were a blood bag.

"I'm willing to accept whatever punishment you see fit." He finally said. "I know I can't stay here. Not while I'm...the way that I am currently."

Carlisle's face was grim as he nodded, "Yes, that is exactly what we wanted to discuss with you, son."

"You are willing to do whatever it takes to atone for what you did to your brother and work towards being better? Sincerely?" Esme asked him. Her eyes filled with unshed tears.

Edward nodded, "I am. If I am condemned to never find my mate, then learning to managed this...behavior is the only way to live. I need to be better not just for myself. For all of you too, if you'll have me back."

Rosalie crossed her arms, clearly not trusting him fully. Edward resigned himself to the fact that Jasper and Rosalie might never fully trust him again. Another punishment he would carry with him for a long time.

Alice nodded, a small smile gracing her lips as she said, "Give it time."

Emmett sighed, as if he couldn't help it, "You know I love you, you little shit."

Edward managed to give him a small, barely-there grin though the amusement didn't reach his eyes.

The sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs made them all tense. Alice rose swiftly, "I'll get it."

"If your word is true, then you'll understand that what we've decided to do is for the best," Carlisle stood, holding Esme's hand as she followed and with a finality that could never be questioned he said to Edward, "After seeking council with Aro, the Volturi have come to the decision to hold you accountable for your actions. Betraying your brother and Bella, jeopardizing the coven, and risking not only Charlie's life but also exposing our true nature to the humans. You will be held in Volterra and forced to reflect on your ways however Aro sees fit."

Panic swept over him in an instant.

Edward released a sound that was a mix between a scoff and a grunt as his lips parted, ready to defend himself and his actions.

But he never got the chance.

Not as Alice appeared in the doorway with three hooded figures wearing the Volturi's signature colors standing behind her. She made her way back into the living room, moving to stand beside Jasper. The rest of the Cullens stood next, regarding the Volturi with the closest thing to respect they could muster.

Jane pushed the hood off her head, revealing two blood red eyes as she stared directly at Edward.

Jasper clenched his jaw as he felt pure greed and vengeance radiating off the smallest member of the Volturi. Her sharp smile could slice through any of their cold dead hearts, ending them all in an instant.

And she wouldn't even have to lift a finger to do it.

"We've been sent to pick up our...newest guest," Jane breathed with a sickening grin. Felix and Dimitri stood on either side of her, both unmoving in their overwhelming presence.

Edward could barely hear their thoughts, but that might be due to their sole focus being on returning to Volterra.

"Carlisle—"

Jane interrupted Edward before he could plead with his father, "We can do this the easy way. Or the hard way. It matters not to me. Although the pain," her eyes seemed to gleam at the word, "that is inevitable, should you try to defy Aro's decree."

"Then I take the hard way," Edward snarled as he crouched low, readying himself to fight his way out if he had to. There was no way he was going with the Volturi. He'd much rather be torn apart by the shifters than live in exile in Volterra where Aro would happily find ways to torment him for his crimes.

Jasper frowned, knowing exactly what was about to happen. Despite himself, despite all the hurt and fury he's felt towards Edward. He still loved his brother.

Still wanted him to live.

Love...it was such a complicated thing.

"Edward, please," Esme's voice wavered as she stepped forward. More tears shined in her eyes as she pleaded with him, making him halt before he could charge towards the three vampires. He whipped his head towards the woman who has always loved him. No matter what, she would love Edward as her son forever. It never mattered to Esme what any of her children did in the past—she still loved them unconditionally. "Please. If you've ever loved this family. Please, don't do this."

You know Aro won't kill you. He knows as much as the rest of us how valuable you are based on your gift alone. If you attack now, dying will be the least of your worries. Jasper finally said to him.

Edward's gaze shot to his, holding for a long moment as he took in the words Jasper shared.

Don't make another decision that will end in heartbreak. Try to be better, Edward. Fix yourself or the damage will remain forever. Marcus has agreed to help you work through this...madness. He knows better than anyone how it feels to live for eternity without his mate. Trust him.

Marcus, who'd lost his mate after being executed by Aro. The same man who lost himself completely when the loss became too much. After being betrayed by a brother...

The only difference between Edward and Marcus was that the latter didn't truly have a family who cared for him.

But the Cullens still loved him. As he loved them.

He and Jasper both knew that Carlisle and Esme would accept him with open arms. When and only if he changed his ways.

The rest of them...Bella...that was a different story entirely.

But all it takes is one person to change your life.

Maybe there was still hope for Edward.

He seemed to war with all the thoughts his siblings and parents were filling his head with now. All trying to save their brother's life, no matter how little he deserved it.

And then, remorse swept over Jasper.

True regret.

Not because he was being punished for his wrongdoings.

For the first time in...forever, Jasper could feel that the remorse for what he'd done to him—to Bella—was genuine. And Edward would feel it for a long, long time.

Probably forever.

They held each other's gaze before Jasper nodded once. Understanding and acknowledging the apology. Swallowing down his own emotions, holding them back until he could see Bella again—until he could unravel before her—Jasper steadied himself.

Edward relaxed from his stance before he turned to face Jane and said, "Alright. I'm ready."

"Good, we have a tight schedule. Come along," Jane said before turning, only to stop as she said over her shoulder, eyeing Jasper this time, "Master will be expecting a visit from this mate of yours soon. He's very curious to see this...Bella. We'll be in touch."

Jasper clenched his jaw to hold back a retort, his hands curling in fists as he watched the Volturi go. Ignoring the hand on his shoulder as Alice ensured he didn't go after the blonde vampire.

Edward said a quick goodbye to everyone in the room, before he too walked out of the living room. Out of their home.

He didn't so much as look back as he lifted his head and faced his punishment—whatever it may be.


Thanks for reading x